Top 10 draft picks in Ottawa REDBLACKS history

The CFL Draft is fast approaching, and the Ottawa REDBLACKS hold the first overall pick. In the past, they have built franchise greats from their selections and found players who brought them to three Grey Cups over the years. Of everyone they have ever picked, here are 10 players that stand out from the rest.

Antoine Pruneau – DB – 2014 R.1 P. 4

There’s no list of best REDBLACKS anything without Antoine Pruneau’s name. To put it simply, he’s one of the team’s greatest players, let alone the best draft picks. The fourth-overall pick in 2014 jumped straight to the CFL, starting for the league’s newest franchise immediately. He didn’t take home Rookie of the Year honours, but he was certainly in the running, and the best was yet to come.

Pruneau played eight CFL seasons with the REDBLACKS, before retiring after 2022, but even as his career neared the end, he was always willing to do whatever it took to win games. Whether he was starting games, or even used as a special teams ace, he was going to give 100 percent of his effort, and was always an emotional leader in the locker room.

Pruneau helped the REDBLACKS reach their ultimate goal in 2016, bringing the Grey Cup back to Ottawa for the first time in 40 years, but what endeared him to the fans even more was his willingness to stop and chat after a game or practice. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Laval native loved Ottawa, and the city showed that love back tenfold.

Nolan MacMillan – OL – 2013 R.1 P. 9

Before the REDBLACKS even had the chance to play games, they were a part of the 2013 CFL Draft. The players they picked would go back to school for a season, and then be ready to go for the club’s inaugural season. Nolan MacMillan became the first-ever draft choice for the REDBLACKS, who used the ninth overall pick on the Arnprior native.

In 2014, MacMillan came to Ottawa, and before long, the former Iowa Hawkeye became one of the league’s stars on the offensive line. In his first two seasons, he played all 18 regular season games for Ottawa, and in 2015, helped lead the club to the Grey Cup. Although they didn’t finish, they came back with a vengeance, and won a ring in 2016.

MacMillan and the REDBLACKS once again reached the big game in 2018, and after the 2021 season, he hung up his cleats, calling an end to his seven-year career. He was named an All-Star in 2019, and all things considered, did quite well to represent himself as a whole, and to the city of Ottawa.

Nigel Romick – DL – 2014 R. 3 P. 23

Nigel Romick is now the only original REDBLACK left on the team, but he hasn’t just stuck around because his name was on the 2014 roster. In his CFL career, Romick has primarily been a special teamer for the REDBLACKS, totalling 99 tackles on special teams over the course of eight seasons, while adding another 15 on defence, along with a sack.

His presence on the field has been important for the club, which has routinely held one of the league’s top special teams units. In 2021, Romick got his chance to play on the defensive line, and in a Week 10 meeting with the Montreal Alouettes, he finally got his first career sack. It was met with celebration from teammates, showing how much love and appreciation he has garnered in his CFL tenure.

Alex Mateas – OL – 2015 R. 1 P. 1

Before 2023, the REDBLACKS have only owned, and subsequently used, the first overall pick one time. It came in 2015, after their inaugural season, selecting Alex Mateas. Before playing his college career at the University of Connecticut, he spent time playing at Merivale High School, and even with Ottawa’s CJFL franchise, the Ottawa Sooners.

Before retiring during the pandemic, Mateas became one of the REDBLACKS’ key pieces on the offensive line, never playing fewer than 17 games in his five seasons. He twice was honoured with an East Division All-Star nod, and was a part of the Grey Cup win in 2016. Safe to say Ottawa hit on this pick.

Connor Williams – DE – 2013 R. 2 P. 18

Although Connor Williams doesn’t have an extensive history in the CFL, he was absolutely massive in 2016, helping the REDBLACKS to the Grey Cup. In that year, he found the quarterback five times, but in the postseason, Williams earned sacks against both Michael Reilly and Bo Levi Mitchell, becoming an absolute beast when the lights got bright.

Mark Korte – OL – 2018 R. 1 P. 4

The REDBLACKS have tended to be able to retain their best draft choices, but sometimes, things don’t line up perfectly, and in the case of Mark Korte, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a great pick. Now with the Edmonton Elks, Korte was one of the most coveted offensive linemen to hit free agency in 2022, and at the ripe age of 26, there’s still lots to come from the Alberta native.

Evan Johnson – OL – 2017 R. 1 P. 9

Much the same as Korte, Evan Johnson chose to go home when he hit the market in 2021. After three great seasons with the REDBLACKS, he headed west, opting to suit up for his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders. Johnson helped Ottawa reach the Grey Cup in 2018, where they ultimately lost to the Calgary Stampeders.

Kene Onyeka – DL – 2018 R. 4 P. 29

Unlike some of the other names on this list, Onyeka’s future is far more exciting than what he has already accomplished. The Carleton University product had a breakout season in 2022, sacking the quarterback five times, while also being productive on special teams. At only 26 years of age, he’ll likely play in some kind of rotation opposite Lorenzo Mauldin, potentially creating a great opportunity to further burst onto the scene.

Over his three seasons in red and black, Onyeka has found improvement each season, and Shawn Burke called him a “big re-signing” earlier this offseason. If Mike Phair and Barron Miles can help the Lagos, Nigeria reach his full potential, they’ll be looking at one intimidating pass rush.

Justin Howell – DB – 2018 R. 7 P. 55

If Pruneau is the best overall selection, Justin Howell is the best value selection the REDBLACKS have ever made. A seventh-round draft pick is hardly expected to make the roster, let alone compete for a starting role. That’s exactly what the Carleton alum has done, winning the starting safety job before suffering an injury in 2022.

Howell has consistently taken the next steps in his career, and is now one of the vaunted veterans on the defensive side of the ball. He credits being adaptable for his success, saying that he took it upon himself to be able to play any position in the defensive backfield when he was young, in an effort to give himself the best chance at playing ball.

He is still waiting for his first career interception, but having already bucked the odds so many times, don’t be shocked to see him overcome this one too.

Kienan LaFrance – RB – 2015 R. 6 P. 45

Kienan LaFrance is here, and every REDBLACKS fan knows why. He has become a good special teams player since departing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but his show in the 2016 postseason is reason enough to place him here. He rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown in the snowglobe against Edmonton in the East Final, before being productive in the Grey Cup the very next week.